Entries By katrina bloemsma

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

January 18, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Howdy all... Checking in after a busy, busy day up here on Aconcagua. There was a bit of commotion buzzing around Plaza Argentina this morning with a bunch of helicopter flights coming in and out of basecamp requiring logistical assistance on our part that stalled us from getting out of the gate on our planned carry up to Camp 1. Luckily, what could have been a logistical nightmare was averted and despite the late start, our team made a great effort and put in a big cache of personal gear, food, fuel, and other group gear up at ~16,400' right in the heart of Camp 1. We're back down here at Plaza Argentina, tired after a long day on our first foray onto the upper mountain but psyched that the team performed so well despite the heavy loads. Spirits are high after a job well done and we hope to keep the good times rolling through another rest/acclimatization day at basecamp tomorrow. Signing off... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

January 17, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

Resting today... We are all enjoying a pleasant afternoon up here at Plaza Argentina. Our two principal goals for today are letting our bodies rest up from the work we've done over the past three days and continue that acclimatization process, and to prep and pack our gear, food, and fuel for tomorrow's planned carry up to Camp 1. The team is again in good spirits and enjoying the day. We'll check in again tomorrow and let you know how our first true push up the mountain went... RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lucy - Great going. Enjoy your day off. We hope you have great weather for the rest of the climb. We miss you. Love, Carter, Walker and Christopher

Posted by: Carter on 1/18/2015 at 9:17 am

Glen, we are with you - in thought anyway. It is good to see photos, so we can see, too. Now, your training is paying off!

Posted by: Jerry y Rhonda on 1/18/2015 at 8:11 am

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

January 16, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 13,800'

We've made it to Basecamp! After three long days on the trail our team rolled on in to Plaza Argentina this afternoon in good style and in good spirits. And while we are all feeling the altitude a little bit we are no worse for the wear. We enjoyed some refreshments upon arrival from the great Grajales staff and proceeded to set up camp and get settled in after a little breather. We just finished a great meal of of soup, homemade lasagna (!!!), and flan for dessert and are getting ready to tuck ourselves in for the evening. Up at nearly 14K, it's a fair bit colder here than it was on our trek in, especially at night so we're finally putting some of our warm clothes to good use. Typically, the first night at a higher elevation can be a little uncomfortable so we'll see how everybody fares tonight. I'm sure there may be a few headaches in the group, but that's totally normal... Anyway, we're all still having fun and looking forward to a good rest day tomorrow. All for now, RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Case de Piedra

January 15, 2015

Posted by: Billy Haas, Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 10,550'

Journey to Casa de Piedra. Our crew made great time today on our march from Pampa de Leñas to our second trekking camp at Casa de Piedra. We had significantly cooler temps today and some welcome cloud cover (albeit with a few sprinkles) which made for a much more pleasant walk than yesterday. The crew is starting to find the rhythm of the mountain and also finding a good synergy among the teammates. We are all having fun and even enjoying some interesting people. Good times! Headed for Aconcagua Basecamp tomorrow... Talk soon. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Glad you will reach base camp tomorrow. Hope photos will be forthcoming! Laura and I are reading the Inferno and enjoying Lidia’s class. Jim says, “GO Corell!” Love to you, Cindy

Posted by: Cindy Mabry on 1/16/2015 at 7:40 pm

Glad you are on the trail. Hope all is well so far. The boys and I are off to Arkansas tomorrow. There has been a huge thaw, so we might be hunting in t-shirts. Alee came to town tonight, so who knows if Philip will make the plane! Love you!! Thurston

Posted by: Thurston Moore on 1/16/2015 at 5:54 pm

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Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

January 15, 2015

Posted by: Billy Haas, Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Elevation: 9,000'

January 14, 2015 Hola de Pampa de Leñas! Today our team made our first moves in the mountains in great style by ticking off the first stretch on our three day journey to Plaza Argentina, our basecamp. The trail was hot and dusty but we enjoyed a nice breeze from time to time and incredible views that made the heat bearable. After setting up our camp we had the good fortune to greet another RMI expedition as they arrived in camp returning from a successful summit bid a few days ago. Big congrats to Zeb and his crew! We all got to share an asado last night complete with grilled beef tenderloin and vino which was quite a treat. The herrieros (mule drivers) cooked for us over an open fire... Pretty classy backcountry living. We're thankfully not on the ramen noodle program yet, it was nice to hold that off another day. Anyway, all is well and tomorrow calls for another day of walking up the Vacas Valley... We'll check in and let you know how it goes. All for now, RMI Guides Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, and Billy Haas

On The Map

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Finish Up Loose Ends and Are on Their Way

January 13, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Katrina Bloemsma, Billy Haas

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

Hi everyone, Billy (Nugent) here checking in after the first official day on our 2015 Aconcagua expedition. Today was a crazy one and the team spent most of the day scrambling around trying to get everything ready for tomorrow´s departure to the mountain. One of our team members was the victim of freezing rain and thus a cancelled flight from O´Hare so she arrived in Mendoza this morning and was forced to hit the ground running. We went straight to the permit office to handle that and then made a quick stop to freshen up at the hotel before we departed for Penitentes where Grajales, our outfitter, has a packing facility near the trailhead. The rest of the team spent the morning tying up loose ends; making runs to the grocery store and gear shop to pick up last minute items before we all jumped in the van for a three-hour drive up to Penitentes in the mountains. Once we arrived we spent several hours packing and readying our loads for the mules that were broken up nicely by a great dinner at Ayelen, our hotel. Lots of things to remember means a fair bit of stress but that will all evaporate once we hit the trail tomorrow. The team is ready and in good spirits, eager to hit the trail! We´ll check in again from our first camp along the trekking route into basecamp. All for now, RMI Guide Billy Nugent and the gang

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Lucy! St. Louis is routing for you, too! We will be reading about your progress and thinking about you! Good luck to you and the whole team! We love you!! Love from Mom, Erle, Donald, Donald Jr. & John

Posted by: Erle Broughton on 1/17/2015 at 9:15 pm

Good luck Billy and Company! I’ll be in Pete’s group following behind you guys. Getting ready to leave for Mendoza on Saturday. See you on the mountain!

Best regards,
Craig Falkenhagen
Atherton, CA

Posted by: Craig Falkenhagen on 1/15/2015 at 1:41 pm

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Mt. Rainier: June 14th SUMMIT!

June 14, 2014

Posted by: Lindsay Mann, Josh Maggard, Ben Liken, Katrina Bloemsma, JJ Justman

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb Teams Led by JJ Justman and Lindsay Mann reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The teams reported great climbing conditions with winds of about 5 - 15 mph as they climbed above the clouds. The teams will spend some time on the summit before starting their descent back to Camp Muir. Congratulations to Today's Teams!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Congratulations Cory, Hope you enjoyed every minute.
We Love You, Mom and Dad

Posted by: Robert and Lori on 6/14/2014 at 9:11 am

Way to go Rob! Can’t wait to see the pictures.

Posted by: Bob Haley on 6/14/2014 at 8:23 am

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Mt. Rainier: June 9th Four Day Summit Climb Reaches Summit

June 9, 2014

Posted by: Tyler Reid, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Tyler Reid was able to reach the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Strong winds kept the group from spending much time on top. As of 7:15 am they were at 12,900' on their descent. The group will take a short rest at Camp Muir before continuing down to Paradise later today. Congratulations to today's team!

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches Summit

June 5, 2014

Posted by: Casey Grom, Chase Nelson, Mark Falender, Katrina Bloemsma

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Denali

Elevation: 14,410'

The Expedition Skill Seminar - Muir reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning at 7:25 am PT. RMI Guide Casey Grom reported a beautiful day with clear skies, light winds and cool temperatures. The team will descend to Camp Muir (10,060') where they will spend their final night on the mountain and conclude their training tomorrow with a final descent to Paradise. Congratulations to today's Seminar team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

¡Felicitaciones!

Posted by: Margaret Amalfitano on 6/6/2014 at 6:11 am

Way to go Mike McBride and Seminar-Muir team!!!! Congradulations !!!

Posted by: Pat Noe on 6/5/2014 at 12:19 pm

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Mt. Rainier: May 31st Summit!

May 31, 2014

Posted by: Katrina Bloemsma, Casey Grom, Chase Nelson

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Casey Grom reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at about 7:35am PT. The team reported clear skies and calm climbing conditions. The team will spend some time on the Summit before starting their descent to Camp Muir. Congratulations to today's team!

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Looking for info on Sheldon Spivey a Georgia climber who is there attempting to summit Rainer

Posted by: Diana Spivey on 6/1/2014 at 8:58 am

Reading the sad news from MT Rainier - it does not
appear to be Robert’s team led by Matt Emht that
was lost but a team led by Matt Hegeman taking the Liberty Ridge route.

Prayers to all involved.

Posted by: Mitchell on 6/1/2014 at 7:53 am

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Entries By katrina bloemsma

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Carry to Camp 1

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Rest Day at Plaza Argentina

On The Map

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Basecamp!

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Reach Case de Piedra

Aconcagua: Nugent & Team Check in from Pampa de Lenas

On The Map

Aconcagua: Billy Nugent & Team Finish Up Loose Ends and Are on Their Way

Mt. Rainier: June 14th SUMMIT!

Mt. Rainier: June 9th Four Day Summit Climb Reaches Summit

Mt. Rainier: Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir Reaches Summit

Mt. Rainier: May 31st Summit!

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Entries By katrina bloemsma

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